Written by Karen Krupa, BFA Fairfax HS English Language Arts Teacher
On Saturday, March 9, 2024, sophomore Magdelina (Maggie) Short was honored by Senator Bernie Sanders as a finalist in the 14th annual Bernie Sanders State of the Union Essay Contest. Maggie’s essay was one of the top 15 essays out of 454 submissions from around the state and focused on the need for better education around treating addiction. In her essay, Maggie discussed the need for more overdose education, such as Narcan training, throughout communities to help save lives. She also wrote about the need to remove the stigma around addiction and suggested focusing on the humanity of individuals struggling.
As part of the recognition ceremony, Maggie and the other student finalists participated roundtable discussion with Senator Sanders. When asked about her thoughts on the day, Maggie said, “This was a really rewarding experience. It was very interesting to hear about topics I was not educated on from my peers around the state. The Senator was very open to new ideas but also challenged us to widen our perspectives.”
We are incredibly proud of Maggie and this outstanding accomplishment! You can read Maggie’s essay here.
Senator Sanders’ Press Release
